Introduction: The comprehending strangeness of Jeffrey Ford -- Creation -- Out of the canyon -- Fantasy writer's assistant -- Far oasis -- Woman who counts her breath -- At reparata -- Pansolapia -- Exo-skeleton Town -- Honeyed knot -- Something by the sea -- Delicate -- Malthusian's zombie -- On the road to new Egypt -- Floating in Lindrethool -- High tea with Jules Verne -- Bright morning.